Chitra Varga

Karma, it’s said, is like a boomerang─ you get what you give.    A great leveler, it does take some pushing and prodding at times though. “ ಬಯಸದೇ ಬಂದ ಭಾಗ್ಯ ” (‘ Bayasade Banda Bhagya’ , which translates to: ‘ Undesired Fortune ’), is a 1977 Kannada film that has karmic circularity for its theme. Based on a story penned by Tamil writer, Bala Murugan, the flick has a somewhat banal ‘ bridging the rich-poor divide ’ plot about equality, which quibbling film pundits are sure to nitpick on. Nonetheless dandy dialogues, packed to the hilt with dramatic content, makes it delightful watch. Ramu (Vishnuvardhan), a driven ‘n diligent student, albeit impoverished, cherishes dreams of becoming a collector. He is steadfast in his belief that one should be goal-oriented in life. His bosom friend, Lakshmana (Ram Gopal) is a privileged guy, given to a life of opulence and plenitude. Assertive Shanti (Manjula) and arrogant Geetha (Sri Lalitha) are respectively the daughters of a poor farmer...

A romanticist mused that the only happiness in life is to love and to be loved. Easier said than done, for love is often elusive…exhausting too. On top, even when love is present in life, joy is slippery like an eel.     “ ಪ್ರೇಮಲೋಕ ” (‘ Premaloka ’; Translation: ‘ World of Love ’) is a 1987 Kannada film, which had college love, romance and infatuation for its core plot. The romantic drama, a musical blockbuster, was heavily inspired by the English flick, Grease 2. It was released simultaneously in Tamil ( Paruva Ragam ) too. The bilingual raked in a windfall for its producers. Ravi (V Ravichandran) is a teenager who has busy parents, who are socialites. The result: he is cared for and brought up by his maid, Sharadamma (Leelavathi), he develops a special bond with her. He enrolls for college and goes nuts over his classmate, Shashikala, also Shashi (Juhi Chawla), a ravishing beauty that the entire college is gung-ho about. On the contrary, Shashikala is mad about an anon...

“ A thriller is a very carefully structured story, ” wrote a well-known crime writer. In stark contrast, a potboiler offers enough thrills despite its unstructured, and often hackneyed, story. “ ಸಿಂಗಪೂರಿನಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜ ಕುಳ್ಳ ” (‘ Singapoorinalli Raja Kulla ’, which translates to: ‘ Raja Kulla in Singapore ’) is a 1978 Kannada film that turned out to be a whopper of a success at the box-office. The action thriller started the trend in Kannada films of shooting at exotic locales overseas; it was a musical blockbuster too film. Shivaraj (Loknath) and Junie (Thoogudeepa Srinivas) are underworld kingpins in Singapore; both are into diamond smuggling and a host of other nefarious activities. Needless to say, they are on the radar of law enforcement authorities. Detective Venu a.k.a. Kulla (Dwarakish) is entrusted with the task of bringing the hoodlums to justice. Pop-singer Raja (Vishnuvardhan) gets acquainted with Gopinath Rao (Shakti Prasad), a wealthy man into some shady stuff. Tara (Man...

The Earth offers its bounty only upon faithful stewardship. The flora and fauna in forests are part of the bonanza― safeguarding the bounty requires diligent care and guardianship. “ ಗಂಧದ ಗುಡಿ ” (‘ Gandhada Gudi ’, or ‘ Temple of Sandalwood’ ) is a 1973 Kannada film based on the theme of forest conservation and wildlife protection― the first Indian movie to do so. The crime drama, with a conjoint domestic drama in its narrative, portrayed the rich biodiversity of the State of Karnataka. Based on MP Shankar’s story, the flick was a blockbuster hit; it was remade in Hindi ( Kartavya ) too.   Kumar (Dr. Rajkumar) is a virtuous and industrious ‘range forest officer’ posted to the Nagarahole National Forest, which has a gang of lethal poachers and sandalwood smugglers operating in it. Inexplicable paranormal phenomena inside the dense jungle too are terrorizing folks in the vicinity. Immediately after taking charge, Kumar meets Anand (Vishnuvardhan), the son of Raja Venkatappa Naya...

“ Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything, ” Plato, the Athenian philosopher mused. “ ಮಲಯ ಮಾರುತ ” (‘ Malaya Marutha’ , which translates to, ‘ Wind in the Hills ’) is a 1986 Kannada film that is a masterpiece focused on the rich musical and cultural traditions of South India. Based on Tamil scholar, Valampuri Somanathan’s story and armed with Chi. Udayashankar’s script, the drama is a musical extravaganza. The core plot of the film is a “love triangle”. The male protagonist in the romantic drama is Vishwanatha (Vishnuvardhan), Vishwa for short, a sincere, soft-spoken, soft-hearted student of Carnatic music. Short on talent, the vocalist is tireless in his efforts at mastering the art though. His music teacher’s daughter, Sharada (Saritha) is romantically attracted to him. One day, Vishwa’s teacher dies in a road accident. In an attempt to realise dreams and aspirations, the artistic soul of the teacher enters Vishwa...

Robert Louis Stevenson, the Scottish writer, aired eloquently: “ An aspiration is a joy forever, a possession as solid as a landed estate, a fortune which we can never exhaust… ” Aspiration, and its alter ego, opportunity, is the starting point of all achievement, for sure. But then, getting to that elusive initial position is often a challenge for the weak and the poor. “ ಕೊಟ್ರೇಶಿ ಕನಸು ” (‘ Kotreshi Kanasu’ , or, ‘ Dream of Kotreshi’ ) is a 1994 National-Award-winning Kannada film that delves into the uphill battles of the disadvantaged…for even the most modest of ambitions. The flick is based on the novel ‘ Kotra High-schoolige Seriddu ’, penned by Sahitya Academi Awardee, Kum. Veerabhadrappa (KumVee); it received a bushel of critical acclaim too. Kotra is a sharp, studious boy from the lower caste. He passes his Seventh Standard examinations with flying colours. And, that sets the cat among the pigeons. It polarizes the village and widens the chasms of caste and class therein. Eve...

Coco Chanel, the French fashion designer said that every girl should know who and what she wants . Just ‘ knowing ’ who and what to want is surely not going to cut it, if she does nothing about ‘ getting ’ what she wants. “ ಮಿಥಿಲೆಯ ಸೀತೆಯರು ” (‘ Mithileya Seetheyaru ’, which means ‘ Seethas of Mithila ’) is a 1988 Kannada film that pundits heaped profuse praise on for its strong storyline and touching theme. The profuse plaudits were richly deserved too, for the moving, meaningful movie emphasizes the importance of breaking the glass ceiling. Visveshwaraiah (HG Somashekar Rao) is a domineering father, who takes pride in his ancestral lineage. The fellow though whiles away his time drinking and gambling. He has three beautiful, bread-earning daughters― Vanitha (Geetha); Kavitha (Akhila Thandur) and Latha (Kalpana Iyer). Visveshwaraiah’s meek, demure wife, Patho (BV Radha) is a homemaker keen on getting her daughters married off. Deferential as they are towards their father, the daughter...

The American novelist, Ernest Hemingway wrote: “ All things truly wicked start with innocence. ” Perhaps; but, the truly wicked always ends with trauma…and, at times, stigma, which sacrifice saves. “ ಸುಪ್ರಭಾತ ” (‘ Suprabhāta ’, which means ‘ Auspicious Dawn ’) is a 1988 Kannada movie, which impressed critics and enamored audiences. The romantic drama was a musical extravaganza; a commercial megahit, it won awards by the dozen too. Vijay Kumar (Vishnuvardhan) is the owner of a petrol bunk on a hill station. He leads a lonely, reclusive life out of choice. The shyness and introversion stems from his past speech disorder. He does engage in long monologues though, perhaps to break out of his boredom.   Enter Hema (Suhasini), a very reticent, reserved lady…and Vijay’s attraction to her blossoms into love. But soon, Vijay tumbles upon Hema’s dark past. So how does the discovered secret impact the romance? That is the rest of the film. Penned and directed by Dinesh Baboo, the roman...

“Neither the life of an individual nor the history of a society can be understood without understanding both” , wrote C. Wright Mills , a reputed American sociologist. “ ನಾಗರಹಾವು ”– ‘ Naagarahaavu ’ or, ‘ Cobra ’, in English– is a 1972 Kannada film, an evergreen classic that delves into the tangled world of relationships within the macrocosm of society. It explores how human relations shape lives, events and personalities. The movie melds together three stories– Sarpa Mathsara , Ondu Gandu Eradu Hennu and Nagarahavu– of novelist, TR Subba Rao, popularly known as TaRaSu . The social drama won a plethora of awards; it was profusely successful at the box-office and was critically acclaimed as well. This film was remade in Hindi ( Zehreela Insaan ) , Tamil ( Raja Nagam )  and Telugu ( Kode Nagu ). The film revolves around the relationship of the male protagonist, Ramachari (Vishnuvardhan) with his childless school-teacher, Chamayya Meshtru ( KS Ashwath ). Chamayya, and his wife...

The reputed author, Mignon McLaughlin wrote very insighfully: “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.” But, the path to 'falling in love' is at times paved with hate and hostility. " ನಾನೆಂದು ನಿಮ್ಮವನೇ " (' Nanendu Nimmavane', which translates to ' I'm Yours Always ') is a 1993 Kannada film, which met with great box-office success. The romantic drama was based on author, Malladi Venkata Krishna Murthy's novel, ' Repati Koduku '. The movie's plot, climax and narrative apparently was the inspiration for the Malayalam film ' Minnaram '. Gopalakrishna (Vishnuvardhan) is an affluent ladies' man. He flirts with pretty girls and enjoys prurience and promiscuity. But thanks to a quirky twist of fate, he falls head over heels for Radha (Srishanthi), who has orthodox views about marital life. So, Gopal and his dear Man Friday, Mukunda (Ramesh Bhat) hatch a plot for the moonst...

A good thriller, it has been said, is one which feels real and carries some truth. " ನಿಷ್ಶಬ್ದ " ('Nishyabda', or 'Silence') is a 1998 Kannada film, which is as realistic as an action thriller can get. The movie was a box-office success; critics appreciated it too. Major Vishwanath (Vishnuvardhan) is a retired army veteran who is also a dog trainer with about twenty purebred dogs in his kennel. Dr. Vineetha (Revathy) is the veternarian looking after the dogs. The major's brother, Vijay (Sumanth) is in a romantic relationship with Varsha (Mohini), which the major has no knowledge of. Fatefully Vijay antagonises a local thug, Veerendra Gowda (JK Bharavi) and gets murdered. That alters the course of Major's life, who now shelters Varsha at home and seeks revenge against his brother's killers. Dinesh Baboo has written and directed the thriller, which has the right, eclectic mix of action, suspense and mystery. He has handled the camerwork credi...